Visitor Guide 2020 – 2021 Parks Parks Canada / Également offert en français Takakkaw Falls Z. Lynch Connect with nature R. Creary / Parks Canada Our story The Rocky Mountains have been part of Indigenous peoples’ homelands for thousands of years; recent history brought new people. In 1858, during a celebrated British expedition to explore the West for railway routes, Dr. James Hector became the first European to map the mountain pass that would become an important transportation corridor. After the doctor’s horse knocked him over with a kick to the chest, the spectacular route was dubbed Kicking Horse Pass. Later, the Canadian Pacific Railway, whose R. Creary / Parks Canada transcontinental route travelled through the pass, set up restaurants at the base of Mount Stephen to avoid A UNESCO World Heritage Site pushing heavy dining cars up the mountain. This laid the groundwork for creating the Mount Stephen Four of the mountain national parks – Banff, Jasper, Reserve, renamed in 1901 as Yoho National Park. Yoho, and Kootenay – are recognized by the Eight years later, a visiting scientist, Dr. Charles United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Doolittle Walcott, discovered the Burgess Shale Organization as part of the Canadian Rocky fossils on Mount Wapta. These exquisitely preserved Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, for the benefit marine organisms offer a glimpse back more than and enjoyment of all nations. 500 million years ago. With fossils of global Among the attributes that warranted this designation importance, 36 peaks soaring above 3 000 m, the were vast wilderness, diversity of flora and fauna, rambunctious Kicking Horse River, and numerous outstanding natural beauty and features such as breathtaking waterfalls, it is no surprise visitors make Lake Louise, Maligne Lake, the Columbia Icefield, personal discoveries anew. and the Burgess Shale fossils. 2 Welcome to Yoho National Park Visit the Yoho National Park Visitor Centre located on the Trans-Canada Highway at Field. Parks Canada staff will provide you with up-to-date park information and assist you in planning your visit to Yoho National Park! Take this opportunity to examine a large collection of Burgess Shale fossil specimens on display and watch model trains twist through a Spiral Tunnels replica. Don’t forget to talk with Travel Alberta staff for province-wide trip planning information, and stop by the Friends of Yoho gift shop for souvenirs, guidebooks, and topographical maps. Free Wi-Fi available. Visitor centre hours: May 1 to May 31: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 1 to Sept 30: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct 1 to Oct 12: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct 13 to March 31, 2021: Closed but washroom facilities are available year-round. All other park facilities, viewpoints, and picnic areas Z. Lynch / Parks Canada are typically open from mid-May to mid-October. All opening dates are weather dependent. Supporting parks 250-343-6783 Entry fees are charged at most national parks and [email protected] national historic sites, where revenues are kept to support visitor services and facilities. This means that every time you visit a park or site you are investing Meet Parks Canada’s interpreters in its future – and in a legacy for future generations. Do you want to discover more about the Pick up your day pass or annual pass at any park uniqueness of Yoho’s natural and cultural heritage? gate, visitor centre, or staffed campground kiosk. Friendly and knowledgeable interpreters are here to help you connect to these special places DAILY ENTRY protected by Parks Canada. The daily entry pass is valid in Yoho, Kootenay, Banff, Watch for interpreters at campgrounds and popular Jasper, Mount Revelstoke, and Glacier national day-use areas in Yoho National Park. Interpretive parks. Regardless of time of entry, the pass is valid programs are offered daily in July and August. until 4 p.m. the following day. Check parkscanada.gc.ca/yoho-interpretation Adult (18-64) $10.00 for more information on interpretive experiences in Senior (65+) $8.40 the park. Reserve a spot on a guided interpretive Youth (0-17) FREE hike at reservation.pc.gc.ca. Family/group $20.00 (up to 7 people in a vehicle) PARKS CANADA DISCOVERY PASS parkscanada.gc.ca/yoho The Parks Canada Discovery Pass is valid for facebook.com/yohonp 12 full months from date of purchase and gives you twitter.com/yohonp unlimited admission to enjoy national parks, national marine conservation areas, and national historic Accommodations and attractions in Field: sites across Canada. field.ca Adult (18-64) $69.19 Tourism Golden: 1-800-622-4653 Senior (65+) $59.17 tourismgolden.com Family/group $136.40 (up to 7 people in a vehicle) 3 Top 10 things to do 1 BURGESS SHALE FOSSILS GUIDED HIKES Meet your ancient ancestors and hold a piece of earth’s history on a guided hike to the restricted Walcott Quarry or Mount Stephen fossil sites. Reservations are required. Visit reservation.pc.gc.ca to book your spot. 2 CAMPING Tenting? RV-ing? Enjoy a family getaway to one of Yoho’s four rustic campgrounds. Roast marshmallows, take a hike or wander through the nearby community of Field. Yoho’s campgrounds keep you close to the adventure! See page 7. R. Creary / Parks Canada 3 SPECIES AT RISK GUIDED HIKES Hike to the Paget Fire Lookout as your guide tells the story of whitebark and limber pine, species at risk. Discover the story characters and their surprising connections, from grizzly bears to fungi. Walk among endangered pine trees and take part in research to help them survive. Visit reservation.pc.gc.ca to book your spot. 4 VILLAGE OF FIELD Take an afternoon walk and experience Field’s mountain hospitality. Stay in a unique guesthouse, pick out the perfect souvenir, or enjoy the culinary Z. Lynch / Parks Canada delights of this charming community. See page 6. 5 EMERALD LAKE Admire incredible views of mountain peaks and wildflowers on an afternoon stroll around this gem-coloured lake. Pack a picnic lunch or go for a canoe ride to get a different perspective of the surrounding mountains. See page 8. 6 NATURAL BRIDGE Marvel at the force of the Kicking Horse River as it cascades under a naturally formed stone bridge. This rambunctious river takes its name from a near-fatal kick that stunned James Hector while exploring the area in 1858. See pages 8 and 9. Z. Lynch / Parks Canada 7 TAKAKKAW FALLS Enjoy a scenic drive on the Yoho Valley Road. Then, cool off in the mist as you stand at the base of one of the highest waterfalls in Canada. Snap a selfie from the red chairs and share your adventure! See page 8. 8 SPIRAL TUNNELS VIEWPOINTS Watch trains snake through the Spiral Tunnels from the viewpoints on the Trans-Canada Highway or Yoho Valley Road. Discover how Yoho’s towering peaks and steep hills inspired the stories of the Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site. See page 8. Z. Lynch / Parks Canada 9 HIKING Choose from a large network of easy, moderate, and difficult trails. Stroll along the Centennial Trail, discover pillars of glacial debris on the Hoodoos Trail, or challenge yourself with the Emerald Triangle Trail; there is something for everyone! Check trail conditions at parkscanada.gc.ca/yohotrails. See pages 7 to 9. 10 WAPTA FALLS At 30 metres high and 150 metres wide, this is the largest waterfall on the Kicking Horse River. Take a gentle 4.6-km return hike through verdant forests to a stunning viewpoint. See page 9. Note: the 2-km vehicle access road to Wapta Falls parking lot is closed from late October to late May. Z. Lynch / Parks Canada 4 Suggested itineraries Z. Lynch / Parks Canada Half-day adventures A full day of fun TAKE A SCENIC DRIVE TAKE A WATERFALL TOUR Get off the Trans-Canada Highway and explore! Explore five of Yoho’s most impressive waterfalls on Follow Emerald Lake Road and discover a jewel foot. Feel the cool mist on your face at Takakkaw of the Canadian Rockies as you paddle, walk or Falls and snap a selfie from the red chairs before ski around the magnificentEmerald Lake. From following the Laughing Falls Trail to Point Lace Falls late June until early October, drive the 13-km and Angel’s Staircase. Climb through a mature scenic Yoho Valley Road. Experience the power of forest to Laughing Falls; then continue along this Takakkaw Falls – one of the tallest waterfalls in historic trail, first cut by the Canadian Pacific Railway, Canada. Pack a picnic lunch or stop and watch the to Twin Falls. Here the double waterfalls tumble over trains as they snake overtop of themselves at the a massive limestone cliff. Spiral Tunnels Viewpoints. TAKE IN THE VIEW STRETCH YOUR LEGS Climb above the treeline and get a bird’s eye view The whole family will enjoy the easy, 6.2-km return of Yoho’s valleys and towering peaks on the iconic hike to Sherbrooke Lake. Follow the trail through Iceline circuit. Beginning early from the Takakkaw mature forest to the shore of this glacier-fed lake, Falls Campground, follow the trail to Laughing Falls then relax and take in the views of surrounding and steadily climb through the forest to a beautiful mountain peaks. For more of a challenge, head to hanging valley. The Little Yoho Valley offers dramatic the southern end of the park and follow the trail up views of the President Range. Continue on the to the Mount Hunter Lookout. The 7.2-km return Iceline Trail and stand amongst glaciers as you take hike brings you to a vantage point where you can in the expansive views and look down on Takakkaw see the landscape from the perspective of the Falls.